LEO CULLEN HAS played down any concerns around Tadhg Furlong’s fitness ahead of tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup final meeting with La Rochelle in Dublin.
The tighthead only took a limited part in Leinster’s Captain’s Run today, but has been named to start tomorrow’s final at Aviva Stadium.
Furlong has struggled with calf injuries this year and was taken off at half time in the URC quarter-final win against the Sharks on 6 May as a precautionary measure.
“He’s okay, yeah,” said Cullen.
“There were a few guys who didn’t train today, and that’s the way it would normally be with Captain’s Runs. Some guys step out. James (Ryan) is the captain, so he runs it. Just the normal course of event. He’s good to go.”
Cullen has made 12 changes from last weekend’s URC semi-final defeat to Munster, naming a side with includes 14 Grand Slam winners in the starting XV as the province look to land a first Champions Cup title since 2018.
Leinster have been utterly dominant in Europe on their run to this final but defending champions La Rochelle have made the trip to Dublin full of confidence, having ended the province’s European dreams for the last two seasons running.
Playing on home soil, the pressure is very much on Leinster as they look to avoid going trophyless for the second season in a row.
“Pressure is a good thing,” Cullen continued. “That’s what we want, we want to be here. If you offered us this opportunity after the final last year, knowing there was a final in Dublin, and we’re here now.
It’s a pressure, but the most positive pressure we can ask for. We hope we’ll have a big turnout of supporters; we hope everyone gets behind the team.
“It was very hard to get to Marseille last year for Leinster supporters, we were very appreciative of the group that were there. We were walking through the airport after the game, and the disappointment on so many people’s faces. But we’re here again at this stage, and that’s where we want to be.
“Hopefully everyone gets behind the team, because that relationship is important. There’s been plenty of talk over the last 10 years. I think back to that final in 2013 when we didn’t qualify from the pool stages, so we were playing in the Challenge Cup final, and two French teams were in the final that week, Toulon against Clermont. Everyone was asking the question at the time, would we ever be able to beat these French giants.
“What’s our point of difference? Our point of difference has to be some supporter base that we have, which allows us do certain things. That connection, hopefully, will be there tomorrow. Everyone’s worked so hard to get to this point, so this is exactly the pressure we want. It’s a privilege to be here and not something we take lightly.
“We’ve been knocking on the door in a few different finals which haven’t gone our, way, but it’s about preparing the team as well as we possibly can, and now about delivering on the big day, committing to our plan, being nice and calm and composed.”
Sitting to Cullen’s left, Leinster captain James Ryan echoed the message of his head coach.
“You just know finals are about fine margins and tomorrow will be no different.
“It’s going to be another close final I think, the big thing is we don’t know how it’s going to go tomorrow, but the big thing for us is we prepared really well all week, we’re in a great space and we’re excited to play in a home final.
“All the important parts of the game are still there. Defence is so important in a final, they’ve got a particularly good attack, great width, set-piece is crucial.
“So, it’s just getting those areas right of the game. We’re excited as Leo said to play in front of our supporters, family and friends.
“It’s a very unique, special day and we’re looking forward to.”
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This will be LEINSTERS win. Leo’s first team selection has been unbeatable all year . It even spilled over into the 6 nations and look what happened there . Nothing gonna stop this selection. Who the hell are La Rochelle. CMON LEINSTER.
Furlong out and I’d make La Rogelle favourites. Ala’alatoa is nowhere near the level needed for a champions cup final. Glad he should be ok
@Dave Moran: Big Mike is just fine. It was him who should have been rewarded with a penalty against lar but Barnes bottled it cos he was intimidated by the lar fans. MA is an able replacement for furlong who can’t last more than 55 mins these days. Getting to the point where he barely plays for leinster and just plays for ireland.
@Dave Moran: Given the lack of TH cover behind him, Mike has been one of Leinster’s most important players this season. What has been more disappointing to me is that Furlong hasn’t hit the heights we are used to. Hope he does so tomorrow – otherwise there’ll be a worry that the miles are starting to catch up on him
@N D: Furlong is arguably No1 in his position in the world. He is one of the firsts Leo picks I can assure you.
@Kevin Ryan: the guy hasn’t had a real lay off since the 2017 lions. Can’t think of another player who has played as many big games for club and country than furlong. 2017 full season, no summer off, 2018 extended club season, 2019 no summer off, 2020 covid, 2021 nó Summer off, 2022 extended season summer tour, 2023 will be no summer off. He hasnt even had a lomg injury that would sort of recharge the batteries. He is 30ish now? Would love to see. The sabbatical clause like in NZ come.into Irish rugby.
12 changes – Now can we please put to bed that Munster beat the Leinster 2nd string last week …just !! Fingers crossed they can beat LAR
@Bert far: Munster who? :D